Plassnik: "Acknowledgement of Vienna as a pivotal point in the international security architecture"

01.11.2006

Preparatory meeting for the revision of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) to be held in Vienna

Vienna, 1 November 2006 - Foreign Minister Plassnik welcomed yesterday's decision by the UN General Assembly to choose Vienna as the venue for the next preparatory meeting for the revision of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). This decision by the UN General Assembly comes in the wake of an invitation extended by Plassnik at the 50th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in September. The preparatory meeting will take place from 30 April to 11 May 2007.

"The unanimous decision by all NPT Members to hold the next meeting in Vienna is a further acknowledgement of the IAEA's significance and a sign of appreciation for Vienna as a venue for important international meetings. Vienna is thus strengthening its role as a centre of nuclear disarmament and as an important pivotal point in the international security architecture. We shall make our contribution to strengthening the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty both as host and as an active member," emphasised Plassnik.

Plassnik had already stressed the outstanding importance of nuclear safety standards at the IAEA's General Conference and advocated a strengthening of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty as a cornerstone of international disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons system. "A strong commitment by the entire community of states is required particularly at a time when the international regulatory framework for nuclear non-proliferation is being undermined from several sides. The debate about Iran's nuclear programme and North Korea's nuclear test constitute challenges for the globally networked system of protection and safety standards that we must not ignore. At the same time, further progress is also necessary in nuclear disarmament," concluded the Foreign Minister today.